"It's a pretty awesome feeling when you are told you get to represent your country at a major tournament on the basketball calendar," she said of the experience competing in Russia.

"To be heading there for a major tournament like the World Uni Games is pretty exciting, as countries tend to go to crazy lengths to try and top the last event. It's always cool to see what they come up with in terms of venues and opening ceremonies."

Though she had previously represented Australia at the 2011 World University Games in Shenzhen, China - also taking home a bronze medal for Australia - Katie said she was surprised by the difference in scale of the Russian event.

"Going into this one, I kind of knew what to expect in terms of the thousands of people around the Athletes Village every day, and the crazy dining hall with hundreds of different foods to choose from for every meal," she said.

"The one thing that seems to stick out is the amazing opening ceremonies that each country puts on: A massive display in a packed out stadium of 40 to 50,000 people. I never expect it to be that big!"

From 6-17 July, over 11,700 university athletes representing 160 different countries and 27 sports competed at the Games, making the Kazan competition the biggest in the event's history.

Now back in Australia, Katie is changing her training routine from the body to the mind ahead of returning to classes in Semester 2. She plans to complete her degree over the next four years, with hopes to also continue playing with the Emerging Opals Australian women's basketball team.

Katie's shining performance on the basketball court has solidified a passion for sport she hopes to one day foster among students in the classroom.

"I chose to do Secondary Human Movement as I love health and sport, and I want to try and teach kids about the importance of an active life not only for the physical benefits but the social and emotional ones as well," she said.

"I would love to either have a full time or casual position at a school so that I can begin to prepare for my life after basketball."